Example of Bird Tourism in Finland

Riina TervoGBF-workshop, Svanvik, Norway 2.9.2017

Liminka BayImpressions of Nature

Chain of visitor centres

Liminganlahti

• Managed by Metsähallitus, Parks & Wildlife Finland • Finland’s only visitor centre about the birds• Finland’s only wetland education centre

Map of the Liminka Bay

Liminka Bay• Liminka bay Visitor Centre is located right next to the city of Oulu• The area covers over 12 000 ha• There have been built several bird-watching towers, boardwalks and other constructions along the shores for the use of visitors• 55 000 visitors/year: most of them families and schoolgroups

• Is a valuable bird habitat and wetland, even on the European scale• Liminka bay is an internationally renowned resting and nesting area for migratory birds • 160 species breeding, 290 species observed •The area is to a large extent privately owned but almost entirely under protection• Liminka bay is a part of the Natura 2000 network• One of Finland’s Ramsar wetland areas• Liminka bay visitor centre is the first wetland centre of Finland

Networked approach

Liminka Bay visitor centre

Finnature Oy

• bird photography

• product development

• marketing for professional bird photographers in Finland and abroad

• birdwatching tours

Liminganlahden Ystävät ry:

• events

• relationship marketing

• brand control and websites

Liminka municipality: Infrastructure• maintenance• support and development

Hotel-restaurant Liminganlahti Ltd• restaurant• accommodation• programme services• marketing for companies

Metsähallitus, manager of the visitor centre• exhibition• customer service • guide service• feedback

Regional and international approach: Scandinavian scale

Specialities

- Finland: owls, grouse, woodpeckers, waders and eastern passerines

- Varanger Fjord: eiders

Quality

- Guide and long stay

- Global scale

Around the year -activities

- Watching and photographing birds

- Photographing animals

Effect on local economy

- Annual turnover 830 000 €

- Networking with businesses providingmeals and accommodation

Bird watching trips around June 5th

www.facebook.com/metsahallituswww.twitter.com/metsahallitus

www.metsa.fi